WASHINGTON (CNN) - Terry McAuliffe, the former Democratic National Committee chairman now seeking the Virginia governorship, is running a new advertisement on black radio stations in the commonwealth tying himself to President Obama.

The 60-second spot, which began airing Tuesday in central and southeast Virginia on urban and gospel radio stations, says that McAuliffe fought to protect voting rights for African-Americans during his tenure at the DNC.

"Terry McAuliffe defended our rights and was the leader who brought us together and united the party," says a narrator in the ad. "And in 2008 our voices were heard when we elected our president, Barack Obama."

Another female voice chimes in, promising that McAuliffe "will bring those skills to Virginia, that's the kind of leader we need."

The ad, of course, does not mention McAuliffe's outspoken backing of Hillary Clinton before the 2008 Virginia Democratic primary - a contest Obama won with the support of 90 percent of the state's African-American voters.

The radio ad is McAuliffe's second to target black voters, who will almost certainly be a crucial constituency in the June Democratic primary. One of his Democratic rivals, former House member Brian Moran, also launched a radio spot in the Hampton Roads area in February.

The new ad suggests that, for the moment, the so-called "Obama brand" continues to carry weight up and down the ballot in both parties. On Tuesday, Republican Jim Tedisco, who is running for Congress in New York's 20th Congressional District, began airing a TV ad invoking the president's bipartisan rhetoric.

"Like the president says, in these difficult times, we're not Republicans or Democrats," Tedisco says in the ad. "We're Americans, and that's the team I'm on."

soundoff(28 Responses)

Mr. WorldCom himself, that's all we need, another crook at the head of the table.

I'd say that if you've heard of a guy for years and years and years being involved in politics, that's reason enough not to vote for him.

March 18, 2009 03:32 pm at 3:32 pm |

david

LOL....made me laugh.... Thanks terry!

Obama Supporter

March 18, 2009 03:38 pm at 3:38 pm |

joseph

when this is all said and done he is going to wish he was not tied to obama

March 18, 2009 03:42 pm at 3:42 pm |

Mark

1. If McAuliffe wins, I'm going to move out of Virginia!
2. I think it is disgusting that in a time when we need to work towards racial harmony, and togetherness, that he would advertise on a "black" radio staion. I don't believe it is legal to have a "white" radio station. He is using race baiting techniques, trying to use Obama's blackness to get elected. Disgusting to me. I hope my felllow Virginians of African descent, see thru his trickery.
3. CNN please post this, I believe I was polite and y'all seem to deny me my right often, so I'm going to ask nice.

March 18, 2009 03:46 pm at 3:46 pm |

Reggie S.

Who is he kidding? Wasn't it less than a year ago when he was bashing Obama for his lack of "experience"? And now, all of a sudden, Obama's words are near and dear to him? This just goes to show you that some people will say and do anything to get elected!

March 18, 2009 03:50 pm at 3:50 pm |

larry fort wayne. indiana

Terry is an opportunist

March 18, 2009 03:50 pm at 3:50 pm |

Beverly, NYC

You united the democratic party Terry? Really!! I guess re-writing history isn't just the domain of the Bush/Cheney whitehouse.

March 18, 2009 03:52 pm at 3:52 pm |

Rick

looks like another demoncrate has started to use race in a bid for election by using obama. Really a shame that all I ever see out of demoncrates is playing of the race card. We are all Americans, black, white, native or any other ethnic background, but I dont see the demoncrates acting on one status.

March 18, 2009 03:53 pm at 3:53 pm |

Simple Advice

Apologize Mr. McCaullife. That will take you farther than trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the African American voter in Virginia.

March 18, 2009 03:57 pm at 3:57 pm |

yuri

Whether it will work or not is what we wonder about. But it's a start nonetheless, to win support from the Virginians, without a wince.

March 18, 2009 03:57 pm at 3:57 pm |

The One

Is this like invoking god's name?

March 18, 2009 04:04 pm at 4:04 pm |

D. D.

Is he tying himself to Mika on Morning Joe and morning 151 Rum also ?
Joe is seeking Pat Buchanan to run against Terry so he and Mika are in a in- win situatation.

March 18, 2009 04:08 pm at 4:08 pm |

Pepou

It's a bit too late, darling. You supported Clinton all the way and didn't lose a single opportunity to disparage Obama. You can't have it both ways.

March 18, 2009 04:12 pm at 4:12 pm |

Rob in Detroit Mi.

In the end it comes down to who Obama supports,Obama is not going to be played like surpream court Judge Thomas or Rnc head Steel.

March 18, 2009 04:15 pm at 4:15 pm |

Retired Army in San Antonio

Talk about unmitigated gall; McAuliffe takes the cake!

March 18, 2009 04:26 pm at 4:26 pm |

Bridgette-PA

"Terry McAuliffe defended our rights and was the leader who brought us together and united the party,"

Really? When?

March 18, 2009 04:36 pm at 4:36 pm |

Bridgette-PA

"Terry McAuliffe defended our rights and was the leader who brought us together and united the party,"

Really? When?

March 18, 2009 04:36 pm at 4:36 pm |

SynCityNJ

What's new about this! Politicians have used the black community for years (including the Clintons) to get elected and then leave them behind!!

March 18, 2009 04:44 pm at 4:44 pm |

Wake up Virginia

this shmuck fought tooth and nail to prevent Barack from capturing the nomination. While I agree with his policy stances, McAuliffe

March 18, 2009 04:44 pm at 4:44 pm |

Grow up, people.

Are we going to punish every Democrat who ever had the temerity to run against or oppose Barack Obama during his political career? President Obama is a big boy and realizes that our system requires that members of the same party will oppose each other during election season. He himself has run against Democratic incumbents and established political powers during his career. Once the election is over, previous competitors come together for the good of the party and the country. That is why Mrs. Clinton is now President Obama's secretary of state. Mr. McCauliffe now supports the president. If he wins the primary, you can bet that the president will support him. The only deciding factors should be whether he is qualfied for the job and whether he would be good for Virginia–NOT that he supported Obama's opponent in the '08 primary race (MANY Democrats did.).

March 18, 2009 04:44 pm at 4:44 pm |

WeThePeopleOfVA

Please align yourself with Obama. Base your campaign on dreams and hope. We want more change you can believe in.

Listen to this man Virginia and do the opposite of everything he says.

March 18, 2009 04:51 pm at 4:51 pm |

Retired Army in San Antonio

Grow up, people. -- March 18th, 2009 4:44 pm ET

Are we going to punish every Democrat who ever had the temerity to run against or oppose Barack Obama during his political career?

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Of course not......but lets call it like it is.

This guy is trying to hype himself as a 'kindred spirit' (so to speak) to Obama, but bad-mouthed and criticized him.....and fought tooth and nail.....every step of the way.

He's trying to ride Obama's coat tails into the VA governors mansion......many months after the fact!

March 18, 2009 04:54 pm at 4:54 pm |

grf67

McAliffe is a outsider who has never done anything for the state of Virginia and we will not elect him. He should find some politican who wants to lose to work for.

March 18, 2009 04:56 pm at 4:56 pm |

Fitz in Texas

How do these people get up in the morning, look in the mirror, and still like themselves?

Pssst....Mr. McAuliffe with the way things are going for the President you might want to re-think this campaign route.